May 30, 2009
Monster Baby
I know I posted ultrasound pictures on the blog, but I didn’t write about the experience, mainly because I received some information about the baby and I’m in denial about it.
Don’t worry, everything is fine. According to my doctor, the baby is healthy and growing. Growing quite well, actually.
It turns out that the little one growing inside my belly weighs 11 ounces. I was 18 weeks pregnant the day of the ultrasound, and a baby at that gestation typically weighs between 5 1/2 and 7 ounces. That is the average. Eleven ounces is nearly double the average. Eleven ounces is the average weight at 21 weeks gestation.
The ultrasound technician told me that going by baby’s weight alone, my due date would be October 9th. My due date based on my BBT chart is October 27th. My doctor is going by my last menstrual period, which means that due date is October 22nd. I’m ready to scream.
I’m growing the Monster Baby. In fact, Doug and I have been referring to him or her as Monster Baby since Tuesday. My doctor joked that if Monster Baby continues to grow at this rate, he or she will weigh approximately 9 1/2 to 10 pounds at full term.
I CANNOT IMAGINE PUSHING THAT HEAD OUT OF MY VAGINA.
I am terrified at the thought. I refuse to acknowledge the possibility of birthing a baby that weighs over nine pounds. Are you kidding me? I’d never survive. Dawson weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Two more pounds might kill me.
Dr. F was very kind when explaining the ultrasound results. He told me nothing is definite, especially because I have to go back for another ultrasound in three weeks. This is so that they can get pictures of everything they couldn’t obtain at Tuesday’s ultrasound, as well as check baby’s growth again.
Dr. F is hoping the baby doesn’t grow too rapidly in the next three weeks. Any more than one ounce per week may indicate gestational diabetes and I will have the glucose testing at 22 weeks instead of the usual 28 weeks.
This is another thing I’m freaking out about. I’m already under strict monitoring for my blood pressure and I have a home monitor to check the BP 4 times a day. If I have to lug around a glucose monitor as well, and poke my fingers four times a day…well I don’t know what I’ll do, but I guarantee I will be one crabby pregnant woman.
The funniest part of this whole situation? Before the ultrasound I made the decision to try natural childbirth. I had an epidural with Dawson because I was terrified of labor and delivery, and I was induced with pitocin (2 weeks early due to pre-eclampsia) which made my contractions unbearable. I was so panicked and afraid and I knew the epidural would calm me down.
The second the anesthesiologist put the needle in my back, I felt relief. However, I hated the fact that my legs were numb. No pain was fantastic but not feeling or having control over my legs freaked me out. Not only that, the epidural “broke” an hour before I began pushing and the anesthesiologist refused to remove it until after Dawson was born. The thing was still hooked up to me and I could feel it every time I moved.
I hated having a catheter hooked up to my bladder. I hated not being able to get out of bed until I could feel my legs. I hated the fact that Dawson seemed drowsy after delivery, and I think that’s why we had a rough start to breastfeeding. Plus, I think the epidural left me in a drowsy state for several days.
Because of these reasons, I thought at least trying to have a drug free delivery would be worth it. My own mother told me that when she was in labor with me, without drugs, it was the most painful and horrible thing she ever experienced, but after I was born she felt like a million bucks. Her doctor told her it was endorphins coming to the rescue. The more I research this, the more I learn that natural childbirth might be for me.
And then my doctor says the words “nine pounds” and I’m suddenly afraid of the Monster Baby’s head tearing apart my nether regions. I’m really leaning towards the epidural again, but I know I’m going to hate it. Good thing I have time to decide.
Nine pounds! Yikes! I think I’ll go back to denial. I like it there.
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May 30th, 2009 at 8:31 PM, Haley-O Says:
Wow!! Well, I know several woman who had babies over 9 pounds. And, I’m always, like, WOWWW! So, you’ll have MAJOR bragging rights. You will be a HERO! Hold on tight to that!
You’ll be FINE and great. FEEL WELL! Hugs!
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 PM, Headless Mom Says:
I had an 11 lb. baby. So as not to hijack your comments I’ll email you with the rest. You’ll be fine!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 4:33 PM, Wisconsin Mommy Says:
I should introduce you to my friend who pushed out a 12 pounder.
Does your hospital do walking epidurals? I had one with Little J and could feel my legs and feet but not the contractions (well, at least until it came unhooked). I found it to be a nice “in-between” option.